Gregg Brandon Appreciation Thread

FlyingBurrito4 · Post by **FlyingBurrito4** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 3:21 am

I feel like this is quite overdue.

Now I had just as many in-game beefs with him as the next guy, but as a mid-major program, we were a bit spilled with the success we had under Brandon.

"So, put aside those recent incidents and take a moment to remember the great things Brandon did while he was with the Falcons."

bgnews story

44-30, 3 bowl games (2 wins), upsets over Minnesota, Pittsburgh and so many more at the beginning of his tenure ... Gregg Brandon, thanks for making football during my time as a student here enjoyable ... sad to see you go, but excited to move on.

MarkL · Post by **MarkL** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 6:44 am

GB's been a friend for a few years ... I guess I'm easy to notice at games so he's made efforts consistently to get to know me. I am going to miss the guy, but I sincerely hope he finds a new gig that works out great. I have an instinct he's going to hit the ground running wherever he goes. He and his family are class act folks.

Falconfreak90 · Post by **Falconfreak90** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 1:09 pm

PLUS ONE. I always liked Coach B and he was kind enough to respond to emails, good and bad, and always had time to talk about games. He's a good dude...it just didn't work out for him.

I wish Coach nothing but the best.

BillyLP · Post by **BillyLP** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 2:51 pm

As many things that I disagreed with him over, I also thought that he was great for our program. I think that the time just came that we needed a change. I think that he'll end up in a great coaching spot before too long, and he still has a long career as a coach ahead of him. By the way, has there been any public reaction to the firing by Coach Brandon himself? It seems as if he's gone away. Nevertheless, Thanks GB

TG1996 · Post by **TG1996** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 3:13 pm

Without making it sound too much like a eulogy, whether it was sarcasm or not, I'm glad my lasting memory of Coach Brandon will be his celebration in front of the fans after beating UT last week. It reminded me of some of the "joyous intensity" he showed during his first BG-UT game in '03.

If it was going to have to end, I'm glad it ended with a beat down of the Rockets.

1987alum · Post by **1987alum** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 3:26 pm

I've never been shy about my support of Coach Brandon.

On the field, he helped get us to three bowl games and moments in the national spotlight. There are only people ahead of him on BG's all-time win list: Perry, Whittaker, Blackney, Stolz and Nehlen.

More importantly, I'd like to thank him for two things.

1) For being a personable, accessible coach. This was the first year that I didn't regularly send Coach an e-mail before or after almost every game. Just fell through the cracks. But in the previous years, he always - ALWAYS - took the time to respond. Sometimes it was just a "thanks, Karl," other times it was more. But I can't get some of my employees to respond to my e-mails and he did it every single time. That meant a lot. And several times after games - either on the field or outside the lockerrom, he would take the time to shake hands, accept our congratulations and talk for a few moments, when I'm sure he was drained and ready to relax. But he always took the time to talk to me and Noah. Always.

2) I'll be forever thankful for some of the people he brought into the program. The two that really stand out for me are Pete Winovich and Corey Partridge. Both of these young men were dear favorites of my son and they always - ALWAYS - took the time after a game to let me snap a picture and talk with my son. And they did that with genuine interest.

One of my favorite pictures is one I took in 2005 with Corey and Noah. And I'll always remember talking to Corey after that game; he said, "I'll guess we'll see you at the next home game." I chuckled and told him we came in from Philadelphia. His eyes got wide and reached out to shake my hand again and thanked me again for "coming all the way out here to support our team." And I'll never forget that he called me sir (As did several other players when I met them).

Even though we didn't see a game this year, Noah would always ask how Corey was doing. When Corey managed to play some in the last GMAC Bowl, despite that brutal thumb injury, well, let's just say it really made an impact on Noah.

As for Pete, what can I say? Noah couldn't wait to find him on the field after our last two BG road trips. And after that painful GMAC Bowl loss, Noah just kept saying how bad he felt for the seniors and when he saw an emotional Pete with his family, we went over to say good-bye. It really choked me up and when we got home, Noah insisted on sending Pete a note. Pete took the time to respond, most thoughtfully I might add and with an incredibly gracious gift - the jersey he wore during that last bowl game with Noah's last name emblazoned across the back.

I know poor off-the-field behavior dominated the headlines recently. But Corey and Pete represent the type of men that Coach Brandon sought out for this program. Their value to the university goes well beyond the playing field and I love that these are the type of young men my son is cheering for.

Thanks, Coach Brandon. I know the Lord has great tasks ahead of you and that you will be up to the challenge.

Dukefann9er · Post by **Dukefann9er** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 5:12 pm

Did not know him.. But played golf this past summer with his son Tim. He was a nice kid and very humble.

BgWaRrIoR · Post by **BgWaRrIoR** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 5:22 pm

1987alum wrote:I've never been shy about my support of Coach Brandon.

On the field, he helped get us to three bowl games and moments in the national spotlight. There are only people ahead of him on BG's all-time win list: Perry, Whittaker, Blackney, Stolz and Nehlen.

More importantly, I'd like to thank him for two things.

1) For being a personable, accessible coach. This was the first year that I didn't regularly send Coach an e-mail before or after almost every game. Just fell through the cracks. But in the previous years, he always - ALWAYS - took the time to respond. Sometimes it was just a "thanks, Karl," other times it was more. But I can't get some of my employees to respond to my e-mails and he did it every single time. That meant a lot. And several times after games - either on the field or outside the lockerrom, he would take the time to shake hands, accept our congratulations and talk for a few moments, when I'm sure he was drained and ready to relax. But he always took the time to talk to me and Noah. Always.

2) I'll be forever thankful for some of the people he brought into the program. The two that really stand out for me are Pete Winovich and Corey Partridge. Both of these young men were dear favorites of my son and they always - ALWAYS - took the time after a game to let me snap a picture and talk with my son. And they did that with genuine interest.

One of my favorite pictures is one I took in 2005 with Corey and Noah. And I'll always remember talking to Corey after that game; he said, "I'll guess we'll see you at the next home game." I chuckled and told him we came in from Philadelphia. His eyes got wide and reached out to shake my hand again and thanked me again for "coming all the way out here to support our team." And I'll never forget that he called me sir (As did several other players when I met them).

Even though we didn't see a game this year, Noah would always ask how Corey was doing. When Corey managed to play some in the last GMAC Bowl, despite that brutal thumb injury, well, let's just say it really made an impact on Noah.

As for Pete, what can I say? Noah couldn't wait to find him on the field after our last two BG road trips. And after that painful GMAC Bowl loss, Noah just kept saying how bad he felt for the seniors and when he saw an emotional Pete with his family, we went over to say good-bye. It really choked me up and when we got home, Noah insisted on sending Pete a note. Pete took the time to respond, most thoughtfully I might add and with an incredibly gracious gift - the jersey he wore during that last bowl game with Noah's last name emblazoned across the back.

I know poor off-the-field behavior dominated the headlines recently. But Corey and Pete represent the type of men that Coach Brandon sought out for this program. Their value to the university goes well beyond the playing field and I love that these are the type of young men my son is cheering for.

Thanks, Coach Brandon. I know the Lord has great tasks ahead of you and that you will be up to the challenge.

What a great story. I wish more news like this would make it to the press instead of just the negative. I know there are some "bad" guys on the football team, but majority of them are nice decent young men. And my respect for those two (already high) is even higher now. Those are the kind of guys BG needs to have playing football.

kdog27 · Post by **kdog27** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 5:24 pm

1. I think him for the 27-26 win at Purdue. Still the best game I have ever attended.

2. 34-18 win over NIU with Gameday present.

3. Always being approachable and friendly.

Flipper · Post by **Flipper** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 11:52 pm

I have always thought that GB didn't get the credit he deserved for taking the 2002 (lost 3 of their last 4) to that next level in 2003. A lot of reallly great things have happened (sebo Center, new turf, etc....) while he was here and I don't think those things woukd have been done had the program not been as successful as it was in the early years.

On a personal level..I had a number of opportunities to talk with GB in passing at various events, games etc...he's a good guy. I think he's gonna land on his feet. The disappointment of this season will not be the defining moment of his career.

bgbill · Post by **bgbill** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 12:04 am

Gregg seemed to be as much a fan of Falcon football as he was their coach. He really enjoyed the games, and wasn't one of those brooding types.
Good luck, Coach.

h2oville rocket · Post by **h2oville rocket** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 6:56 am

1987alum wrote:There are only people ahead of him on BG's all-time win list: Perry, Whittaker, Blackney, Stolz and Nehlen.

Well, yeah. The animals that coached there had trouble winning games.

(cue bad UT jokes).